Panoz DP01
Encyclopedia
The Panoz DP01 is an open-wheel car that was produced by Élan Motorsport Technologies
near Road Atlanta
, Georgia, United States. It was developed for use in the 2007 Champ Car World Series season
, replacing the aging de facto-spec Lola chassis. The DP01 was introduced to the world at the 2006 Grand Prix of San Jose
on July 28, 2006. Due to the February 2008 sale of Champ Car to the Indy Racing League
, which uses its own spec equipment, the car is not currently used in a professional racing series in the United States. The final race for the car was the 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach
.
DP01 was developed to be safer, and less aero-dependent while racing closely with other cars than previously existing Champ Cars. The Panoz had numerous changes from the previous Lola car, including more downforce
from the underbody. Approximately 60% of the car's 5500 lb (2,494.8 kg) of downforce at 200 mi/h comes from the bottom of the car. This is done by directing the air in a way to create downforce on the car, by sucking it to the racetrack. This put less dependency on the front and rear wings in the event of a failure at high speed.
Another major change from the previous car is the raised nose of the car. The nose was moved farther above the front wing, directing more air to the underbody aerodynamics
. The raised nose also created a safer environment for the driver in the event of a head on collision with a wall or another car.
The driver sat more upright than in the Lola chassis, to reduce the chances of back injuries, and to better accommodate the use of the HANS device
.
. The second open test occurred February 12 and 13 at MSR Houston
. The third and last open test before the season took place March 9 and 10 at Laguna Seca. The Panoz DP01's race debut was at the Vegas Grand Prix on April 8, 2007. Team Australia
's Will Power
won the inaugural pole and the first race with the DP01.
, the DP01 was retired from championship racing after approximately one year of racing service. The 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach
held in April 2008 served as a "Champ Car finale", and the DP01s were used by all participants.
chassis for the Superleague Formula
series that houses a naturally aspirated 4.2 V12 engine.
DP01s owned by most Champ Car teams were sold to privateers in the United States and elsewhere. Two examples of the cars in use during 2010 were in the BOSSGP racing series, where the chassis was campaigned by Henk de Boer and also by Peter Milavec.
Atlantic Championship president Ben Johnston also owns at least two DP01s, which he intended to be raced in a new multi-class open wheel racing series called GreenPrixUSA. However, the initial season was delayed due to track and possible engine issues. As of September 2011 Green Prix has yet to debut.
Élan Motorsport Technologies
Élan Motorsport Technologies is an umbrella company containing the race car manufacturing companies owned by the Panoz Motor Sports Group. Élan designs and builds Panoz-branded race cars, and have also acquired other manufacturers, including famous Formula Ford builders Van Diemen and IndyCar...
near Road Atlanta
Road Atlanta
Road Atlanta is a 2.54-mile road course located just north of Braselton, Georgia, USA. The facility is utilized for a wide variety of events, including professional and amateur sports car and motorcycle races, racing and driving schools, corporate programs and testing for motorsports teams...
, Georgia, United States. It was developed for use in the 2007 Champ Car World Series season
2007 Champ Car World Series Season
The 2007 Champ Car season was the 29th and final season of the Champ Car World Series, however only its fourth season under the Champ Car title. It began on April 8, 2007 and ended on November 11 after 14 races...
, replacing the aging de facto-spec Lola chassis. The DP01 was introduced to the world at the 2006 Grand Prix of San Jose
2006 Canary Foundation Grand Prix of San Jose
The 2006 Canary Foundation Grand Prix of San Jose was the ninth round of the 2006 Champ Car World Series season, held on July 30, 2006 on the streets of San Jose, California...
on July 28, 2006. Due to the February 2008 sale of Champ Car to the Indy Racing League
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
, which uses its own spec equipment, the car is not currently used in a professional racing series in the United States. The final race for the car was the 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach
2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
The 2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was the third round of the 2008 IndyCar Series season, for teams who competed in the Champ Car World Series in 2007. This was because the 2008 Indy Japan 300 occurred on the same weekend and there was no way of changing dates to avoid the clash. It was held...
.
Development concepts
The PanozPanoz
Panoz Auto Development is an American manufacturer of high-performance automobiles founded in 1989 by Dan Panoz, son of pharmaceutical and motorsport mogul Don Panoz. The company is located in Braselton, GA. Panoz products have included the Panoz Roadster and AIV Roadster, and the Panoz Esperante...
DP01 was developed to be safer, and less aero-dependent while racing closely with other cars than previously existing Champ Cars. The Panoz had numerous changes from the previous Lola car, including more downforce
Downforce
Downforce is a downwards thrust created by the aerodynamic characteristics of a car. The purpose of downforce is to allow a car to travel faster through a corner by increasing the vertical force on the tires, thus creating more grip....
from the underbody. Approximately 60% of the car's 5500 lb (2,494.8 kg) of downforce at 200 mi/h comes from the bottom of the car. This is done by directing the air in a way to create downforce on the car, by sucking it to the racetrack. This put less dependency on the front and rear wings in the event of a failure at high speed.
Another major change from the previous car is the raised nose of the car. The nose was moved farther above the front wing, directing more air to the underbody aerodynamics
Ground effect in cars
Ground effect is term applied to a series of aerodynamic effects used in car design, which has been exploited to create downforce, particularly in racing cars. This has been the successor to the earlier dominant aerodynamic theory of streamlining...
. The raised nose also created a safer environment for the driver in the event of a head on collision with a wall or another car.
The driver sat more upright than in the Lola chassis, to reduce the chances of back injuries, and to better accommodate the use of the HANS device
HANS device
The HANS device is a safety item compulsory in many car racing sports...
.
Debut
The first Champ Car open test of the DP01 took place January 23 to January 25, 2007 at Sebring International RacewaySebring Raceway
Sebring International Raceway is a road course auto racing facility located near Sebring, Florida.Sebring Raceway is one of the oldest continuously-operating race tracks in the United States, its first race being run in 1950...
. The second open test occurred February 12 and 13 at MSR Houston
MSR Houston
MSR Houston is a 17-turn 2.38 mile road course race track located in Angleton, Texas. The track uses a membership system similar to that of country clubs where members may use the course for a nominal fee per use...
. The third and last open test before the season took place March 9 and 10 at Laguna Seca. The Panoz DP01's race debut was at the Vegas Grand Prix on April 8, 2007. Team Australia
Team Australia
Team Australia was an Auto racing team competing in the V8 Supercars and Champ Car World Series. It was created in early 2005 when two Australian businessmen bought into Derrick Walker's Walker Racing operation...
's Will Power
Will Power
William Steven Power is an Australian motorsport driver, who currently competes in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series, driving for Team Penske.-Australian Racing:...
won the inaugural pole and the first race with the DP01.
Final Champ Car DP01 race
In February, 2008, the sale of Champ Car to the Indy Racing League (IRL) was consummated. Since the IRL used its own spec formula based around a chassis made by Italian manufacturer DallaraDallara
Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993...
, the DP01 was retired from championship racing after approximately one year of racing service. The 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach
2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
The 2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was the third round of the 2008 IndyCar Series season, for teams who competed in the Champ Car World Series in 2007. This was because the 2008 Indy Japan 300 occurred on the same weekend and there was no way of changing dates to avoid the clash. It was held...
held in April 2008 served as a "Champ Car finale", and the DP01s were used by all participants.
Current status
The Panoz DP01 is no longer being manufactured. However, Elan Motorsports Technologies did use the car as somewhat of a model for the Panoz DP09Panoz DP09
The Panoz DP09 is the sole spec race car that is used in the Superleague Formula....
chassis for the Superleague Formula
Superleague Formula
Superleague Formula is an open wheel single seater motor racing formula, which started in 2008, at Donington Park in the United Kingdom. The league introduced team sponsorship by association football clubs. It goes by the saying 'The Beautiful Race: Football at 300 km/h'. By 2011 the link with...
series that houses a naturally aspirated 4.2 V12 engine.
DP01s owned by most Champ Car teams were sold to privateers in the United States and elsewhere. Two examples of the cars in use during 2010 were in the BOSSGP racing series, where the chassis was campaigned by Henk de Boer and also by Peter Milavec.
Atlantic Championship president Ben Johnston also owns at least two DP01s, which he intended to be raced in a new multi-class open wheel racing series called GreenPrixUSA. However, the initial season was delayed due to track and possible engine issues. As of September 2011 Green Prix has yet to debut.
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